MARC

SEPTA on April 1 reported that Exo in Quebec has formally approved its $8.58 million bid for 24 coach cars (pictured). (Courtesy of SEPTA)

Transit Briefs: SEPTA, Amtrak

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) purchases coach cars from Exo in Quebec, Canada, to bolster its Regional Rail fleet. Also, Amtrak’s Heartland Flyer grows in popularity as a travel option to Oklahoma City, but more money is needed to keep it running even after receiving a “lifeline” last summer.

The BART Board on Feb. 26 adopted an alternative service plan outlining specific budget balancing details to solve a $376 million deficit for the next fiscal year if no new funds become available to the transit agency. (Courtesy of BART)

Transit Briefs: BART, MBTA, MARC, Metra

The San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) Board adopts an alternative service plan outlining budget-balancing details. Also, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) is developing a rail modernization plan to provide more frequent, reliable and accessible regional rail service; Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) members ratify a new contract with Alstom and Maryland’s MARC commuter rail; and Chicago’s Metra schedules 41 safety blitzes for 2026.

The proposed CV Rail intercity passenger service would span approximately 144 miles, linking the City of Coachella, Calif., with Union Station in Downtown Los Angeles. (Courtesy of RCTC)

Transit Briefs: LACMTA, BART, UTA, Phoenix Valley Metro, SEPTA, CV Rail

Parsons Transportation Group (Parsons) lands a contract for Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (LACMTA) Metro A line extension project. Also, crime on the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) drops 41% in 2025; Utah Transit Authority (UTA) shares 2025 achievements and 2026 service plans; Phoenix Valley Metro in Arizona is identified as a top transit agency in the nation for ridership growth; leased railcars will soon enter Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) commuter rail service; and Southern California’s Riverside County Transportation Commission advances the proposed Coachella Valley Rail (CV Rail) project.

Amtrak’s twice-daily Mardi Gras between New Orleans and Mobile, Ala., has served more than 46,000 riders since its Aug. 18 launch. (Photograph Courtesy of Amtrak)

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, SEPTA, TriMet, NJT, TTC, MBTA

Amtrak’s newest service, the Mardi Gras, is seeing strong demand. Also, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) is taking delivery of 10 leased coaches from MARC (Maryland Area Regional Commuter Rail); Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) promotes Alan Lehto to Executive Director of Planning, a newly created position; New Jersey Transit (NJT) earns the 2025 Combating Human Trafficking in Transportation Impact Award; Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) considers advertising installations in subway tunnels; and Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) and Keolis Commuter Services (Keolis) release a year-in-review report.

Transit Briefs: San Diego MTS, MDOT MTA/MARC, REM, Metrolinx

The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) and the San Diego Housing Fund partner to deliver transit-oriented affordable housing in East Village. Also, the Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA) will provide free MARC service to federal workers during the federal government shutdown; the Réseau express métropolitain’s (REM) Deux-Montagnes branch will begin service on Nov. 17; and Metrolinx enters into an Agreement-in-Principle to purchase a portion of track owned by CN between Bramalea and Georgetown GO stations.

Transit Briefs: Metrolink, MDOT MTA

Metrolink unveils a new fare pilot program. Also, the Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA) releases its MARC Growth and Transformation Plan.

  • News

BLET Ratifies New Contract With Keolis, Reaches Tentative Deal With Alstom

Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) members have ratified a new contract with Keolis for Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) engineers. Additionally, the BLET has reached a tentative contract with Alstom for locomotive engineers who operate Maryland Area Rail Commuter (MARC) trains.